Although
these diseases exist in Ecuador, there still isn't a very big chance
that you'll catch them if you come. As long as you know where the
high risk area are in the country and take all the necesary precautions
if you're heading to one of them. Also it's important to pay attention
to notices of outbreaks, whether it's by looking at the news or
asking your embassy. The following are diseases that exist, or existed
recently in Ecuador, where are the high risk areas and waysto prevent
contractng them.

Yellow
Fever
Yellow fever occurs in certain jungle locations in Ecuador, as well
as in the rest of South America and Africa. In South America, Yellow
Fever is a very rare cause of illness for travelers, but, if you
plan on spending time in the rainforest or coastal lowlands, it's
a good idea to get a vaccination. The vaccine is relatively
inexpensive and it is a worthwhile investment if you consider that
you could end up in an Ecuadorian hostpital for a few weeks.

Like
Malaria, Yellow Fever is a disease transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
Likewise, you should follow the same precautions as with Malaria.
Use whatever kind of insect repellent you find most affective (like
taking lots of vitamin B), protective clothing, and mosquito netting
to minimize the risk of bites from infected mosquitoes.

The
Yellow Fever vaccine is required for entry into certain South American
countries. As of February 2000, the Yellow Fever vaccine was not
required to enter Ecuador unless you were coming from a country
that is considered a Yellow Fever risk area. In the event that the
situation changes suddenly, we recommend that you check with the
Ecuadorian Consulate in your country before departing for Ecuador.

Should
you decide to receive the Yellow Fever vaccination, you will be
issued an International Certificate of Vaccination that will satisfy
entry requirements for all persons traveling to or arriving from
countries where there is active or a potential for Yellow Fever
transmission. The vaccine and the Certificate are good for 10 years.
Most countries will accept a medical waiver for persons with a medical
contraindication to vaccination (for example, for pregnant women
or for infants less than 4 months old). CDC recommends obtaining
written waivers from consular or embassy officials before departure.

If
you live in the United States, the Yellow Fever vaccine can only
be administered at Yellow Fever Vaccine Centers designated by your
state health department. Your doctor can not administer the
Yellow Fever vaccine.

MalariaOn
account of Ecuador's diverse geography, there is risk for Malaria
in some parts of the country and not in others. Mosquitoes, the
primary carriers of malaria, do not like heights. As a result, travelers
run little risk of getting Malaria while in the mountains and mountain
valleys of Ecuador's High Sierra Region. On the other hand, because
mosquitoes thrive in the Ecuador's hot and humid Coastal region
and the Amazon jungle lowlands, you must take the appropriate precautions
while traveling in these regions. According to CDC, all the provinces
along the eastern border and the Pacific coast, including Caņar
Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas (including Guayaquil), Los
Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pinchincha, and Zamora-Chinchipe
are risk areas. CDC does not consider Quito and vicinity, the central
highland tourist areas, and the Galapagos Islands to be risk areas.

Travelers
can eliminate much of the Malarial risk by taking prescription antimalarial
drugs and protecting themselves against mosquito bites. If you will
be visiting an area where there is risk for malaria, take your malaria
prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed
by your physician. You can protect yourself from mosquito
bites by using insect repellent (the repellent must contain DEET),
always wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and sleeping
beneath permethrin-impregnated mosquito nets.

There
are several drugs on the market that prevent malaria (called "antimalarials").
The kind of antimalarial you need to take depends on where in South
America, or the world for that matter, you will be traveling. Mefloquine
(brand name LariamŪ) is the recommended drug for risk areas in Ecuador.
Mefloquine should be taken 1 week before arrival in the malaria
risk area, once a week while in the Malaria risk area, and once
a week for 4 weeks after leaving the Malaria risk area. If you become
ill with a fever, even months after your trip, inform your doctor
that you traveled to a Malaria-infected area. Also, as with any
prescription drug, be sure to follow the label directions and ask
your doctor if have questions or suffer side effects.

Typhoid
FeverTyphoid
Fever is a severe, sometimes life-threatening, illness caused by
the bacterium Salmonella typhi. Typhoid Fever is common in the developing
world, including many parts of Latin America. Therefore, if you
are traveling to Latin America you should take the appropriate precautions.

The
Salmonella typhi bacterium lives only in humans. Persons infected
with Typhoid Fever carry the bacteria in their bloodstream and intestinal
tract. In addition, some persons that recover from Typhoid Fever
continue to carry the bacteria. They are called carriers. Both persons
infected with Typhoid Fever and carriers shed the bacterium in their
stool.

Typhoid
Fever is generally spread from eating food or drinking beverages
that have been handled by a person who is infected with or carrying
the Salmonella typhi bacterium and/or if sewage contaminated with
the bacterium gets into the water you use for drinking or washing
food. Avoid getting Typhoid Fever by getting vaccinated against
it, avoiding food and drink you suspect may carry the bacterium,
and washing your hands often.

If
you contract Typhoid Fever you may suffer from all or some of the
following symptoms: a fever as high as 103° to 104° F (39° to 40°
C), a rash of flat, rose-colored spots, weakness, stomach pains,
headache, and loss of appetite. See a doctor immediately if you
think you have Typhoid Fever. Deaths rarely occur when the disease
is diagnosed and treated early. You will probably be given an antibiotic
to treat the diseases, and after the treatment is begun, people
usually begin to feel better within a few days.

Hepatitis
AHepatitis
A, highly endemic throughout the developing world, is a viral disease
transmitted principally through contaminated food and water, though
transmission may also occur through person-to-person to contact.
The risk of Hepatitis A infection is highest for travelers who live
in or visit rural areas, spend significant time trekking in the
backcountry, and/or eat in restaurants with poor sanitation. Incidence
of Hepatitis A in Ecuador has declined over the years but the disease
is still common. The Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (IG)
is recommended for all South American travelers.